By Islam El-Sakka
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has condemned the offensive remark BBC commentator John Inverdale made about her appearance moments after she won the 2013 title, calling it "absolutely disgusting" and highlighting the persistent pressure on female athletes over their looks.
Inverdale's 2013 comment
During live BBC 5 Live commentary immediately after Bartoli defeated Sabine Lisicki for the championship, Inverdale suggested her father and coach, Walter, might have told her as a child that she would have to "be scrappy and fight" because she was "never going to be a looker" like Maria Sharapova. The BBC later apologised and admitted the comments were "insensitive".
Bartoli's response
Speaking to The Times, Bartoli, who now coaches British player Harriet Dart, said she still cannot understand the comment. "How on earth, when someone just achieved a childhood dream, can you say that? It is just absolutely disgusting, so yes, unfortunately it's been a constant pressure. And it's only on female [players]. A male would never be treated that way," she said.
Career and health struggles
Bartoli retired 40 days after her Wimbledon triumph due to chronic injuries that left her in constant pain. A brief comeback in 2018 was cut short by the same issues. In the years following her initial retirement, she battled life-threatening anorexia; by Wimbledon 2016 she had lost 30kg and was hospitalised for months before her health improved.
Philip Brook's intervention
Bartoli credited then All England Club chairman Philip Brook for prompting her to seek help. In summer 2016, Brook told her she was too unhealthy to play in the Wimbledon legends' invitational event. "That's when I really hit the lowest of the low, because you can take everything away from me, but not tennis," Bartoli said. She added that Brook's honesty forced her to confront her condition and begin recovery.
